Ernie Jacobson

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Ernest Lawrence Jacobson was born in Alert Bay, British Columbia on February 13, 1953.  Ernie is Kwakiutl and is from T’sakis(1).  Ernie spent his childhood in New Vancouver, Fort Rupert and Alert Bay.  Ernie spent his teenage years in Alert Bay, and during his early adult years moved to Rossland, Vancouver, and Victoria.  After living in Victoria Ernie moved back to Alert Bay, and has spent the last twelve years in Fort Rupert, British Columbia.  Ernie feels that neither his origins, nor the places that he has lived are things that need to be stressed, as he says, “I know who I am and that is enough.”

Ernie’s mother is Julia Hunt Nelson; whose parents were Lucy Nelson, and Alfred Nelson (Namgis)(2).  Ernie’s father is Lawrence David Jacobson (Sandy Jacobson) who was born in Knights Inlet, but was from New Vancouver; Lawrence’s father was Tom Smith (Turner Island).

Ernie has three children whose names are Darren Puglas, Fred Puglas, and Alana Jacobson.  Ernie has five grandchildren.  Darren has two daughters, Fred has one daughter, and Alana has a daughter (Kiana Page Laureen Hunt), and one son (Darren Jaden Robert Hunt).  Ernie says, “From what I can see it is really good that there was family there for my children when I was not around, but it is good that I have a chance to look after Kiana and Darren.” 

Ernie does Kwakiutl Art in all different mediums including abstract art, mirror etching, stained glass, painting, print making, and is a carver as well.  Ernie’s teachers made sure that he knew the myths that described the mythical beings used in Kwakiutl artwork.  Ernie began learning about Kwakiutl mythology when he was carving in Vancouver with Beau Dick, Wayne Alfred, Robert Davidson, and many others.  Mungo Martin, Willie Seaweed, Herbert Johnson, Blacky Dick, and Henry Hunt are among the people who have influenced Ernie.  Sandy Jacobson, Ernie’s father taught Ernie’s brother David Thomas Hunt.  “Thomas,” as Ernie calls David, passed along his knowledge to Ernie.

On a side note, Ernie has throughout the years spent time fishing and said, with humour in his voice, “that he has spent a lot of time in the water.”

Ernie is an artist on a musical level as well.  He has been a musician for the past thirty years, playing the piano, the guitar, and the harp.  Ernie sings “on the vocals,” as well.  Ernie began being musical at the age of thirteen.  He has played at many blues clubs in many different cities and towns.   Ernie does not read music rather he plays by ear.  “To know 450 songs fluently, as well as the music, and composition was a real task,” Ernie says.

1 Fort Rupert, British Columbia.

2 Lucy’s maiden name was Martin, and she was Kwakiutl.